As of 2015/16, there were 5,980 students, reading a wide variety of subjects, in nine Schools: Art and Design; Education; Health Sciences; Humanities, Religion and Philosophy; Languages and Linguistics; Performance and Media Production; Psychological and Social Sciences; Sport and York Business School.[3]

The university descends from two Anglican teacher training colleges, which were founded in York in 1841 (for men) and 1846 (for women). In 1862, the women's college relocated to Ripon. Over the next century, the colleges gradually diversified their education programmes. The colleges, St John's College and Ripon College, merged in 1974 to form the "College of Ripon and York St John".

In 1990 the combined institution formally became a college of the University of Leeds; this arrangement allowed it to award degrees in the name of the latter, while remaining in practice largely autonomous. Between 1999 and 2001, all activities were transferred to York and the college received the name "York St John College".

In February 2006, the College was granted the right to award degrees in its own name and the right to call itself a University College. On 10 July 2006 the Privy Council approved a request from the college to become a full-fledged University; the name became "York St John University" on 1 October 2006 once granted by Tony Blair, and the first Chancellor (installed at a ceremony in York Minster on 7 March 2007) is the Archbishop of YorkJohn Sentamu.

The Fountains Learning Centre, opened in 2004, is located at the Clarence Street entrance to the campus. It provides access to resources of all kinds including books, journals, DVDs and videos, media equipment, approximately 400 computers and a 200-seat lecture theatre.[citation needed]

York St John University's £15.5 million De Grey Court was designed by leading architects Charles Thomson of Rivington Street Studio Architects in London. It has won many plaudits, including the highly lauded Lord Mayor's York Design Award and a Royal Institute of British Architects award.[4]

At postgraduate and post-experience level, York Business School offers a suite of Masters programmes including a new MBA programme. Other subject areas offered at postgraduate level include theology, education, theatre, fine art, film production, music composition, counselling, health, linguistics and TESOL.[5]

The University was ranked 90th in the Guardian University Guide in 2011 and 96th in 2012.[10] In 2005, the university was included amongst 74 other academic institutions which were permitted to use the wording "centre of excellence" in its publicity and other material.[11]

In recent years York St John has developed its research capacity in Allied Health Professions & Studies; Psychology; Education; Sports-related Studies; English Language & Literature; Theology & Religious Studies; and Drama, Dance & Performing Arts. Over 30% of research was ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent in the last Research Assessment Excellence (RAE).

In 2010, the average student debt on graduation was calculated at £16,335. For comparison, students at Huddersfield University face an average debt of £8,309 while Hull University students face an even higher £21,290.[13] Overall, student debt at York St John was second highest in the region.

Many activities are organised in association with the Students' Union and the university offers several sporting and other interest groups in which students can become members. The Students' Union is led by three full-time sabbatical officers, SU President, Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare and Diversity.

In 2010, the University's Student Union began a programme of action designed to combat the growing antisocial behaviour amongst its own students. Private security staff paid by the local council were reported to be on patrol until 3am, 2 evenings a week; Wednesday & Friday, in areas where record numbers of complaints had arisen.[14] In 2002, a campaign entitled "SSHH – Silent Students Happy Homes" was initiated to combat local residents' fears of studentification. This has subsequently been adopted by other students' unions around the UK, although in many instances the expansion of the abbreviation has been dropped, leaving campaigns called "Shh", "Sshh", or variants[verification needed]. In 2005, the Students' Union launched another community-friendly campaign called 'Pick It Up'. This campaign was designed to reduce litter levels on campus and in the surrounding community.

The football club play soccer at Heworth Green: one team competes under the name York St John University in the York Football League (they are currently in the Premier Division of that league system); their reserve team also feature in Reserve Division A, which is the top reserve league. Its origins date back to 1872 when J. Morton persuaded the Sports Association to take up association football.

The cricket Club is probably the oldest club – the first record of cricket being played was in 1848 just seven years after the opening on the Training College. The club has strong links with its Old Johns Cricket Association, whose president is ex-student Harry Gration.

The hockey club is one of the biggest clubs within the university, offering 1st and 2nd men's and ladies teams and a mixed team. The men's 1st team are the last ever BUSA National Plate champions, having won the competition in 2008.

The badminton club is also present and represents York St John in BUCS too.

YSJSU houses around 30 different Societies ranging from Musical Production, Drama, Geek Society, and course based societies too such as Physiotherapy, Psychology, Primary Education and many more. The societies work together on many projects in the year[citation needed] and all have the opportunity to win the title of Society of year at the annual Societies Awards Dinner.

As of September 2016, the Students' Union moved to a new democratic structure in order to further student engagement with the Union. The Students' Union is led by a student executive of 12, including three full-time officer trustees and 9 Chairs of Schools representing each of the university Schools. The current President of York St John Students' Union is Laurie Illingworth. The current Vice President of Education is Izzy Tooke. The current Vice President of Welfare and Diversity is Katie Irving.

The executive all hold seats on Senate and the other seats are filled by elected members of each of the six Students' Union 'Zones' (student forums).

Any student can submit a motion to Senate and it be on any issue regarding life at university. The motion is then debated by members of Senate and either passed or not passed as policy.